A LANDMARK building in the centre of Glasgow is being turned into a luxury steakhouse thanks to a £1.5million cash injection.

And the Evening Times was given a tour of the historic building's features before it re-opens next month following the five-month refurbishment by Miller and Carter.

A total of 70 jobs are being created with the arrival of the high-end restaurant.

It is located in the former Post Office. which was one of the busiest branches in the country. It closed its doors last year.

The building, constructed at the turn of the last century and occupying a prominent site at the junction with Buchanan Street, had previously been home to a number of banks, including the National Commercial Bank of Scotland.

Many of the interior features from its financial past have been retained, including the huge dome, clock and bank vaults.

Construction firm Pacific Building had to drill through steel, concrete and sand floors and walls that were up to a metre thick and fortified with metal anti-drilling devices - similar to mediaeval axe heads dating back to the days when the building functioned as a bank.

These were clearly designed to stop burglars - such as the group of men who targeted the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company in April last year - burrowing their way into the vaults and safes.

Site manager George Crighton said it had not been easy trying to spruce up the historic premises.

He said: "This is one of the most difficult projects I've worked on but it's also been very satisfying.

"We've been able to retain many of the features.

"For example the vaults will make a very interesting feature in themselves downstairs in the restaurant.

"The building was originally built as a bank so getting through the thick walls and flooring has been difficult.

"Our workers took days to get through them because there were also spurs dropped into the concrete. The drill would bounce off the spurs."

The five-tonne vaults are some of the most striking items in the building.

A feature will be made of one of the vault doors outside the toilets being installed in the basement, which used to be the main safe for the bank.

It will be permanently chained open so customers can look at if safely.

Other prominent features include the large dome, which has been repainted, cleaned and surrounded by LED lighting. Egg and dart dentelle cornicing surrounding the cupola and other roof lights were restored by a specialist plasterer.

Wall panelling in hardwood timber has been preserved and, in places, restored to its former glory by French polishing techniques.

The interior workings of the clock in the centre of restaurant will be restored and the workers have used plenty of marble.

Meanwhile, the former bank manager’s office has been converted to become the private dining area.

Miller and Carter will open the restaurant, which will seat up to 200 people, on Friday March 4.

It is the second eatery the group has opened in Scotland after Edinburgh.

They plan to open in Aberdeen later this year.

Tim Ellis, retail business manager said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be involved with such a wonderful historic building as part of our expansion in Scotland.

“In terms of our expansion plans, we’ll be opening in Aberdeen city centre at the end of the summer and planning more restaurants to bring our exceptional scotch beef and quality hospitality to more venues across Scotland soon.”

Bob McQuarrie, restaurant manager, added: “Bringing the Miller and Carter brand to Glasgow is an exciting move for both the business and the diners in Glasgow.

“We’re all very passionate about our steaks and we’re proud to be able to demonstrate traceability, as well as the delicious flavours from the quality of produce.

“I’m very excited to be involved from the start and to work with my team to serve high quality food to our guests.”